Summer Forecast: Wet & Wild

Hot Wells and A La Mode Gelato are just two ways to combat the impending oppressive humidity. Both are cool enough to do the trick – just like everything else coming up in San Antonio’s food world.

By Julia Celeste

A La Mode Gelato at the Blue Star Art Complex serves up authentic Italian gelato and sorbetto, along with tasty espresso drinks, panini and meats and cheeses.

Chill Event

Tickets are still available for the Third Annual Harvest Feast at Hot Wells. This year, 25 chefs will make use of the bounty of the garden at the ruins of the once-famous Hot Wells Hotel (and add other ingredients, too) as a way of encouraging attendees to support the rebirth of the property. In a new twist, centralized parking with trolleys for simpler on-site drop-off will ease past parking woes (and alleviate muddy messes). Look for food and drink from a cadre of San Antonio chefs you already know, plus a few bartenders and out-of-town guest chefs. The event is set for Wednesday, June 3 from 6 – 9 p.m. and tickets range from $50 for industry folks and $75 for individuals (couples get a break at $125). It’s casual and fun – and all the cool kids are going. Plus you’ll soon be able to say you were there before the place was renovated!

Cool Treats

I had my first taste of Cucumber Sorbet at A La Mode Gelato this week and it lowered my body heat immediately. Located on the S. Alamo street side of Blue Star Art Complex at 1420 S. Alamo, the gelateria (and the gelato) is the brainchild of Josh Biffle and Diletta Gallorini. They’re serving authentically awesome espresso drinks, hand-crafted panini with imported meats and cheeses, and some of the finest gelato & sorbetto outside Italy. Open from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday, this is about to become your new favorite hangout for breakfast, lunch, mid-afternoon snacks and desserts. And yes, you can get it packed to go.

Gulf Waters

The Chef Cooperative is celebrating the Texas House bill that rejected the sale of the Galveston Bay to a private owner. The group is holding one of their satisfying and delicious dinners at the Spanish Governor’s Palace, 105 Plaza de Armas, on Saturday, June 13 from 6 – 9 p.m. The family-style dinner will feature fresh oysters, shrimp, blue crab and whole fish from the gulf, paired with local liquor, beer and wine. All-inclusive tickets are $65/person and available online. Sponsors and help has been provided by Groomers Seafood, Alamo Beer, Cinco Vodka, Kuhlman Cellars Wine, Treaty Oak Distilling, A to Z Distributing, Ben E. Keith and Javi and Friends. Tickets sell out fast, so if you’re thinking about going, you better commit soon.

Long Sips

Every fourth Thursday of the month, stop into Dorcol Distilling Company at 1902 S. Flores for a special long-table dinner set for 20 people and featuring Cocina Heritage dishes and Dorcol drinks. Each 3-course meal includes paired cocktails and costs $65+/person. Tickets are available online. You can also add a tour of the distillery during a pre-dinner mixer for $10 more.

Pig & Swig

The Two Bros BBQ Market family is holding a back yard wine tasting and whole hog roast with a tasting of seven chardonnays from around the world this Saturday, May 30 from 6 p.m. on. Get your fill of tender hog from the Caja China, baby back ribs, smoked sausages, deviled eggs, bacon-wrapped jalapeños, plus a ton of sides. Use your scorecard to rate the wines, then stick around to find out which one everyone loved best. Reserve your spot by calling 496-0222.

Or join the Dady group for Sunday Funday Brunch from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the newly opened Tre Enoteca at 555 W. Bitters Road. The outdoor patio is shaded, and the AC is cool inside.

Community Picnic

Don’t forget the Houston Street Food Community Picnic this Sunday on Houston Street between Navarro and N. St. Mary’s. The event benefits the San Antonio Food Bank Summer Food Service Program. Buy an individual gourmet picnic basket for $50 (kid-friendly for $25) in advance and relax al fresco with unlimited wine and beer plus live music. Visit the event site for details on the basket options (choose from picnics made by chefs from Bohanan’s, Luke, The Monterey, Market on Houston, Tre Trattoria, The Palm and Catalyst Catering) and more details. You must purchase the basket in advance, then pick it up at the event. No baskets will be available for purchase at the event.

RAIN DELAY

The Texas Olive Festival in Dripping Springs has been rescheduled from this weekend to September 10 – 13 due to the weather and potential road closures. If you have tickets, you can use them then or get a refund. For more information visit www.TexasHillCountryOliveCo.com or call 512-607-6512.

Check out my dining stories every month in the print issue of San Antonio Magazine and on my Food Chick blog every other Thursday/Friday. I’d love to hear what you think at foodchicksa@gmail.com and have you follow my intermittent tweets @a2zJuliaCeleste.